It is going to be a fun-filled day raising much needed funds for the United Cerebral Palsy Association (UCPA) of Hawaii and honoring our first responders. The 22nd Annual Rubber Duckie Race, with 100 percent of the duck adoptions benefiting the United Cerebral Palsy Association (UCPA) of Hawaii, is set for July fourth.

“This year we chose the theme Hawaii Five-0 to show our appreciation of our first responders here on Hawaii Island,” said Specialty Leasing Manager Colene DeMello. “This is an opportunity for Kings’ Shops to give back to our island community, continued Mrs. DeMello who is spearheading this year’s event.

Kings’ Shops General Manager, Steve Schwartz commented, “last year we raised over $35,000 and this year with the public’s help, we hope to raise even more.” The duck adoptions are slated to begin the first week of June.

Between the first week of June and July 4th, adoption certificates will be available at Adoption Headquarters, the Kings’ Shops Management Office and at the Queens’ MarketPlace Management Office. Mail-in order forms will be available at Waikoloa Village Market. Online adoptions can be made at www.KingsShops.com. On race day look for the United Cerebral Palsy Association duck booths where adoptions will be available all the way up to race time. Adopt a duck with a donation of $5 or a “quack pack” of four adoption certificates and a duckie t-shirt for a $25 donation.

The adopted ducks are tagged with a waterproof ticket with the adoption certificate number and the name of the adoptee. They will then be placed in a giant starting cage which is suspended over the Kings’ Lake. At exactly 3 p.m. on the Fourth of July they will be released. The first 50 duckies to cross the finish line win one of the 50 prizes which together total over $25,000.00.

The Coast Guard and Hawaii County Fire Department suspended the search at sunset Thursday for a man last seen Monday night at the north end of Waipio Valley Beach on the Big Island.

Coast Guard watchstanders in the Sector Honolulu Command Center were notified of the situation at approximately 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, by the Hawaii County fire department. The report stated that a man had gone swimming off the northeast coast of the Big Island and had not been seen since Monday night.

John Spillane (HPD reported him as Kevin Devlin)

The Coast Guard searched with air and sea assets for the 62-year-old male John Spillane for nearly three days. The Coast Guard’s search area covered over 3,750 miles. Hawaii County Fire Department’s search included air, sea and shore assets as well as divers.

The Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center gathered data using self locating data marker buoys and the search and rescue optimal planning system. To calculate search areas in the complex currents of the Hawaiian Islands, watchstanders use the SAROPS. SAROPS is a software system that uses simulated particles generated by users in a graphical interface. These particles are then influenced by environmental data to provide information on search object drift. Using information on a point of origin and local currents, it calculates the most likely area to find a person in the water.

Allthough the Coast Guard and Hawaii County Fire Department have suspended their search, the Hawaii County Police Department will continue a missing persons investigation. Anyone with information on Spillane or his next of kin are requested to contact the Hawaii County Police Department.